Community

More than 100 students from 10 elementary schools convene at Trail Ridge Elementary School on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, for the Invention Convention. The fourth- and fifth-graders in the gifted and talented department researched a problem in their environment and created an invention to help solve it.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Eli Stratton, a fourth-grader at Hygiene Elementary, stretches to adjust the motor on his project, Vizi, which is a track made out of K'NEX designed to help farmers collect and transport eggs from chickens. Stratton got the idea for the invention while caring for his family's 14 chickens on their farm on the west side of Longmont. More than 100 students from 10 elementary schools convene at Trail Ridge Elementary School on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, for the Invention Convention. The fourth- and fifth-graders in the gifted and talented department researched a problem in their environment and created an invention to help solve it.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Melissa Park hugs her cat, Smaug, who went missing more than two years ago, while picking him up at the Longmont Humane Society on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. Earlier this week, a Longmont couple brought the cat to the Longmont Humane Society. Staff were able to scan Smaug's microchip and reunite the cat with his owners. Park said she plans to drive the cat to her now ex-husband's home in Seattle, where the cat will likely live.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Smaug, who went missing more than two years ago, was picked up by his owner Melissa Park at the Longmont Humane Society on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. Earlier this week, a Longmont couple brought the cat to the Longmont Humane Society. Staff were able to scan Smaug's microchip and reunite the cat with his owners. Park said she plans to drive the cat to her now ex-husband's home in Seattle, where the cat will likely live.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Karyn Sullivan poses for a portrait in her Longmont home on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Sullivan has a contract with St. Vrain Valley community schools beginning next year to start her program Chillaxed Kids, a relaxation program for children.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Karyn Sullivan demonstrates a deep-breathing yoga relaxation exercise with her sons Jack, right, 6, and Hayden, 4, in their Longmont home on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Sullivan has a contract with St. Vrain Valley community schools beginning next year to start her program Chillaxed Kids, a relaxation program for children.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Karyn Sullivan demonstrates a deep-breathing yoga relaxation exercise with her sons Jack, right, 6, and Hayden, 4, in their Longmont home on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Sullivan has a contract with St. Vrain Valley community schools beginning next year to start her program Chillaxed Kids, a relaxation program for children.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Karyn Sullivan demonstrates a deep-breathing relaxation exercise with her son Jack, 6, in their Longmont home on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Sullivan has a contract with St. Vrain Valley community schools beginning next year to start her program Chillaxed Kids, a relaxation program for children.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Karyn Sullivan demonstrates a deep-breathing yoga relaxation exercise with her sons Jack, left, 6, and Hayden, 4, in their Longmont home on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Sullivan has a contract with St. Vrain Valley community schools beginning next year to start her program Chillaxed Kids, a relaxation program for children.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Karyn Sullivan poses for a portrait in her Longmont home on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Sullivan has a contract with St. Vrain Valley community schools beginning next year to start her program Chillaxed Kids, a relaxation program for children.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Karyn Sullivan demonstrates a deep-breathing yoga relaxation exercise with her sons Jack, right, 6, and Hayden, 4, in their Longmont home on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Sullivan has a contract with St. Vrain Valley community schools beginning next year to start her program Chillaxed Kids, a relaxation program for children.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Karyn Sullivan demonstrates a deep-breathing yoga relaxation exercise with her sons Jack, right, 6, and Hayden, 4, in their Longmont home on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Sullivan has a contract with St. Vrain Valley community schools beginning next year to start her program Chillaxed Kids, a relaxation program for children.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Karyn Sullivan demonstrates a deep-breathing yoga relaxation exercise with her sons Jack, left, 6, and Hayden, 4, in their Longmont home on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Sullivan has a contract with St. Vrain Valley community schools beginning next year to start her program Chillaxed Kids, a relaxation program for children.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Karyn Sullivan demonstrates a deep-breathing relaxation exercise with her son Jack, 6, in their Longmont home on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Sullivan has a contract with St. Vrain Valley community schools beginning next year to start her program Chillaxed Kids, a relaxation program for children.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Nixcavating employees Zach Kincaid, left, Rodger Carney, center, and Ron Beckett work at a commercial retail building site near U.S. Highway 36 and Baseline Road in Boulder on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Nixcavating owner Scott Nix, right, and general manager Tony Dodero pose for a portrait at a commercial retail building site near U.S. Highway 36 and Baseline Road in Boulder on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Nixcavating employees Zach Kincaid, left, and Rodger Carney work at a commercial retail building site near U.S. Highway 36 and Baseline Road in Boulder on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Nixcavating general manager Tony Dodero keeps an eye on work at a commercial retail building site near U.S. Highway 36 and Baseline Road in Boulder on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Nixcavating employees Zach Kincaid, left, and Rodger Carney work at a commercial retail building site near U.S. Highway 36 and Baseline Road in Boulder on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Emily Yoder discusses funding options during a meeting concerning the future of Gateway Montessori School on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Yoder currently has one child enrolled at Gateway. Gateway plans to shutdown at the end of the year due to a lack of fund, school officials told parents Tuesday.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Kindergarten teacher Cindy Scott receives a hug from student Ana Van Dusen, 7, during a meeting concerning the future of Gateway Montessori School on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Scott does not plan to return to teach at Gateway next year. Gateway plans to shutdown at the end of the year due to a lack of fund, school officials told parents Tuesday.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Kindergarten teacher Cindy Scott reacts during a meeting concerning the future of Gateway Montessori School on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Scott does not plan to return to teach at Gateway next year. Gateway plans to shutdown at the end of the year due to a lack of fund, school officials told parents Tuesday.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Emily Yoder listens to discussion during a meeting concerning the future of Gateway Montessori School on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Yoder currently has one child enrolled at Gateway. Gateway plans to shutdown at the end of the year due to a lack of fund, school officials told parents Tuesday.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Eve Shelden discusses funding options during a meeting concerning the future of Gateway Montessori School on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Shelden has one child currently enrolled at Gateway and another who would start next year. Gateway plans to shutdown at the end of the year due to a lack of fund, school officials told parents Tuesday.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Linda Gottschalk, director of Gateway Montessori School, listens to discussion during a meeting concerning the future of Gateway on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. Gottschalk does not plan to return to Gateway next year. Gateway plans to shutdown at the end of the year due to a lack of fund, school officials told parents Tuesday.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Mayor Dennis Coombs, right, chats with Shawn Lewis, a candidate for Longmont's first "external" assistant city manager, charged with overseeing economic development and services that interact directly with the public, during a reception at the civic center in Longmont on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Retired arson sniffing dog, Shadow is seen smelling food set on the counter of the fire station kitchen Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, at the Longmont Fire Department Station 1.
(Elaine Cromie/For the Times-Call)

Holly, the arson sniffing dog, points with her nose to a spot of gasoline while fire Investigator, Mike Manzo, leads her around a room during a demonstration Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, at the Longmont Fire Department at Station 1.
(Elaine Cromie/For the Times-Call)

Laura Fitzpatrick, left, candidate for Longmont's first "external" assistant city manager, chats with Mayor Dennis Coombs and city council member Katie Witt, during a reception at the civic center in Longmont on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012. The external assistant city manager will work to oversee economic development and services that interact directly with the public,
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Adam Miles, left, candidate for Longmont's first "external" assistant city manager, chats with Mayor Dennis Coombs and city council member Katie Witt, during a reception at the civic center in Longmont on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012. The external assistant city manager will work to oversee economic development and services that interact directly with the public,
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Angela Montgomery, center, candidate for Longmont's first "external" assistant city manager, greets Bill Powell, left, with the City of Longmont Public Works and Natural Resources, and Theresa Schulte, right, with the Longmont Senior Center, during a reception at the civic center in Longmont on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012. The external assistant city manager will work to oversee economic development and services that interact directly with the public,
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)

Mayor Dennis Coombs, right, chats with Shawn Lewis, a candidate for Longmont's first "external" assistant city manager, charged with overseeing economic development and services that interact directly with the public, during a reception at the civic center in Longmont on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012.
(Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)